Help me choose a new Macbook Pro
June 30, 2017 7:59 AM Subscribe
I need to upgrade from my 2013 MBA (entry level specs) to a MBP with 16GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. I can't decide whether to get a 2015 15" MBP with those specs or a 2017 13" MBP (without touchbar).
The 15" 2015 MBP is appealing because of the larger size, better ports, and a better keyboard. Plus, I'm concerned about not being able to adjust to the new keyboard on the 2017.
With the exception of the MBA I am replacing, I typically hold on to computers for a long time. Would I get that much more life out of a 2017 versus a 2015? Any other things I should be aware of?
The 15" 2015 MBP is appealing because of the larger size, better ports, and a better keyboard. Plus, I'm concerned about not being able to adjust to the new keyboard on the 2017.
With the exception of the MBA I am replacing, I typically hold on to computers for a long time. Would I get that much more life out of a 2017 versus a 2015? Any other things I should be aware of?
Response by poster: We don't have an Apple store near me, all we have is a Best Buy, and typing from a standing position probably isn't the best comparison. I tried and although the results were better than the Macbook, they weren't encouraging.
posted by entropicamericana at 8:30 AM on June 30, 2017
posted by entropicamericana at 8:30 AM on June 30, 2017
I've been using a 2015 13" MBP at work with 16GB for, well, 3 years now. And I just bought the Kaby Lake 13" 2017 MBP for personal use (no touchbar version - they'll take my esc key away from my cold, dead hands.). Both are effectively software dev machines, the only difference being work and private projects. Also my '15 work machine is the i7, the the '17 home machine is an i5.
Reasons I like the 2017: It's a little smaller and lighter. The larger touchpad is awesome. And technically, according to the tests I ran on Geekbench, it performs a fair amount better. I think I've noticed, but I can't be 100% sure as it's basically subjective. I also love the space gray, but that's a completely trivial reason to buy a laptop.
Reasons I don't like the 2017: Although the keyboard is definitely different, the shorter range doesn't really bother me. But dang it's loud. That said, i'm mostly using an external monitor and keyboard, so it only matters when i'm not plugged in. I do miss the Magsafe power connector, and apparently the 3rd party ones for USB-C basically suck. I'm not actually sold on the USB-C ports. First thing I did was go out and buy a hub, which is kinda a pain to have to carry around. However with a a good hub or two (that includes power passthrough) i don't think 2 vs 4 USB-C ports will matter, at least for my usage. Overall though, I do feel it's a very solid laptop, although in typical apple fashion overpriced for what it is.
Looking into the future though, i think USB-C is where things are headed, and not having that port may become more of an issue than it is today. But that's just a guess, if i could predict the future i'd have a lot more pennies to spend on laptops!
However, I'm curious what the price difference between the 2015 and 2017 models is. You can't buy the 2015 new anymore, so that leaves used and refurb. If you can find one for a good price I'd say go for it, but I suspect the prices may be artificially high because people don't like the new version. However the 2017s are also more expensive, so... yeah. Might be a wash here, I haven't done the research.
I think it will basically boil down to you being able to deal with the keyboard. If you do buy new, I think you have 2 weeks to really try it out and return it if you're not happy.
posted by cgg at 8:38 AM on June 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Reasons I like the 2017: It's a little smaller and lighter. The larger touchpad is awesome. And technically, according to the tests I ran on Geekbench, it performs a fair amount better. I think I've noticed, but I can't be 100% sure as it's basically subjective. I also love the space gray, but that's a completely trivial reason to buy a laptop.
Reasons I don't like the 2017: Although the keyboard is definitely different, the shorter range doesn't really bother me. But dang it's loud. That said, i'm mostly using an external monitor and keyboard, so it only matters when i'm not plugged in. I do miss the Magsafe power connector, and apparently the 3rd party ones for USB-C basically suck. I'm not actually sold on the USB-C ports. First thing I did was go out and buy a hub, which is kinda a pain to have to carry around. However with a a good hub or two (that includes power passthrough) i don't think 2 vs 4 USB-C ports will matter, at least for my usage. Overall though, I do feel it's a very solid laptop, although in typical apple fashion overpriced for what it is.
Looking into the future though, i think USB-C is where things are headed, and not having that port may become more of an issue than it is today. But that's just a guess, if i could predict the future i'd have a lot more pennies to spend on laptops!
However, I'm curious what the price difference between the 2015 and 2017 models is. You can't buy the 2015 new anymore, so that leaves used and refurb. If you can find one for a good price I'd say go for it, but I suspect the prices may be artificially high because people don't like the new version. However the 2017s are also more expensive, so... yeah. Might be a wash here, I haven't done the research.
I think it will basically boil down to you being able to deal with the keyboard. If you do buy new, I think you have 2 weeks to really try it out and return it if you're not happy.
posted by cgg at 8:38 AM on June 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think most of the important stuff has been called out. Just as a data point, I went from many years of 15" Powerbooks/MacBook Pros to a 13" not too long ago. I was pretty worried about going to a smaller screen, but I have found it to not be an issue at all, and I appreciate the smaller size for carrying it around.
posted by primethyme at 9:21 AM on June 30, 2017
posted by primethyme at 9:21 AM on June 30, 2017
I've got the 2017 with the touchbar and once i remapped capslock to escape, i haven't had any problems with the keyboard.
posted by empath at 9:32 AM on June 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by empath at 9:32 AM on June 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I went from an 11" [Core2Duo] Air to a 2015 13" [Skylake i5] MBP (not the newer, even thinner, model) and it does have an excellent keyboard and the "taptic" touchpad. It's not particularly heavy or particularly chunky, but it is noticeably chunkier and heavier than the Air was. So for you I think the biggest concern if you went to the 15" would be the size and weight. And the biggest concern with the 2017 13" model would be the keyboard (it'll be chunkier and heavier than what you have, but maybe close enough you won't mind). The performance difference when I upgraded was major, but I was jumping up two more CPU generations than you're talking about (I think).
The biggest architectural differences across the generations are more about power management than horsepower. They're all pretty fast. My work computer is an Early 2013 (Ivy Bridge i7) 13" MBP and honestly I'm not sure I notice any performance difference between it and my personal 2015 i5. My 2015 has a faster SSD but I couldn't tell you a single time I've ever sat around waiting for the 2013 to read or write. What I do notice is that the 2013 i7 barely makes it to nine hours on battery power, and the 2015 i5 makes it at least twelve. And I much prefer the "taptic" touchpad since I can set it to require less clicking force. In use, especially plugged in, they are nearly indistinguishable.
TL,DR: they're both fine. Do you want the bigger screen and the keyboard feel you're used to? Do you want something that's closer in size and weight? Reviewers who have typed on both generations of the new butterfly keyboard say the new ones have much better feel and that most people do seem to be able to get used to them.
posted by fedward at 11:47 AM on June 30, 2017
The biggest architectural differences across the generations are more about power management than horsepower. They're all pretty fast. My work computer is an Early 2013 (Ivy Bridge i7) 13" MBP and honestly I'm not sure I notice any performance difference between it and my personal 2015 i5. My 2015 has a faster SSD but I couldn't tell you a single time I've ever sat around waiting for the 2013 to read or write. What I do notice is that the 2013 i7 barely makes it to nine hours on battery power, and the 2015 i5 makes it at least twelve. And I much prefer the "taptic" touchpad since I can set it to require less clicking force. In use, especially plugged in, they are nearly indistinguishable.
TL,DR: they're both fine. Do you want the bigger screen and the keyboard feel you're used to? Do you want something that's closer in size and weight? Reviewers who have typed on both generations of the new butterfly keyboard say the new ones have much better feel and that most people do seem to be able to get used to them.
posted by fedward at 11:47 AM on June 30, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nickggully at 8:27 AM on June 30, 2017